The King of Caffeine. Son of blue-collar parents raised in housing projects in Brooklyn. Studied, played football at Northern Michigan U. Moved back to New York, sold pots and pans for Swedish housewaresmaker. Landed marketing gig at small coffee-bean store called Starbucks. Traveled to Italy, became obsessed with opening espresso bar. Bosses said no. Started rival store 1985; made his java with Starbucks beans. Bought company 2 years later for $3.8 million. Tapped late 1980s health craze; created skim-milk-based drinks. Took public 1992. Today boasts 12,000 stores worldwide; opens 5 new shops a day. Expanding into China; operates only American store in Beijing's Forbidden City. Serves 40 million customers weekly. Provides health benefits to employees working more than 20 hours a week. Sold Seattle Supersonics to Oklahoma City mogul Clayton Bennett for $353 million in July; personally netted $90 million. Cofounded venture fund Maveron; sits on DreamWorks board.